Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future Walkthrough & Strategy Guide

Published: Jan 5, 2002

Game Basics

Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future is
a deep and complex game that will likely have you pulling your hair out at
times. However, it is beatable, no matter how difficult it appears at times.
There are a few things you should keep in mind to help make your journey
through the game
stress-free.

First off, Ecco is a mammal, like you and I.
This means he needs to breathe once in a while. Look at the breath meter
(the second bar down on the left of the screen) to determine how much air
your dolphin has. Whenever your breath meter drops below a quarter, seek
the surface. If you are enclosed in a cave or man-made room, look for bubbling
vents throughout the level. By positioning Ecco over these, you will get
much-needed oxygen and live to swim another
day.

Fish are the food source in this game. In nearly
every level, you'll see schools of multi-colored fish swimming about. Charging
through a group of these will result in a boost to Ecco's health meter. When
you successfully catch a fish, it will appear in Ecco's mouth for a moment,
before being scarfed down. You can make several passes at the same school
to fully charge your
meter.

Beware of the spiny yellow fish. They are poisonous.
The only time you will want to eat a poisonous fish is when you have been
poisoned yourself by eating a toxic jellyfish. You'll know when you've consumed
one of these because Ecco's health meter will turn red and the dolphin will
slow to a crawl.

Throughout the course of the game, Ecco will
learn several Songs. These will allow him to communicate with the animals
of the sea, in order that they help with his quest. Whenever you learn a
song, it will almost immediately come in useful somewhere in the
level.

In addition to songs, Ecco will learn Powers,
which will help him to progress beyond certain level objectives. As with
Songs, Powers will be used shortly after you learn them to help Ecco progress
to the next challenge.

Seek the help of Information Shards scattered
throughout the levels. Each will give you a riddle-type message which you'll
have to decipher. These are the keys to making your way through the game.
In addition, other dolphins provide guidance to help you through the
levels.

If ever you get lost on your way to the next challenge, call up the 3D map by pressing the SELECT button. This will help you see where your next challenge is, where danger lies, etc. If you're still lost, press L3 and you will immediately be pointed to the next objective.

Collect all the Vitalits you see. The more you
collect, the more health you will have. This will improve your chances of
survival in every level.